Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A sleeve valve structure for accurately dispensing particulate material which comprises a unique arrangement of a plurality of concentric tubes. Each tube is lined with an elastomeric web and is so associated with the other tubes that when pressurized air is selectively introduced behind each web, the web is inflated, thereby blocking that tube. By successively blocking the tubes, the flow rate through the valve is very accurately regulated.

United States Patent 1 3,693,841 Hansen 1451 Sept. 26,1972

s4] DISPENSER 2,174,348 9/1939 Damond ..222/196 72 t 2 2,210,086 8/1940 Leake ..222/l96 1 fl ;11f",, g f; 16366 1,068,153 7/1913 Mittendorf ..222/l85 x Filedl J 1970 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves App]. No.: 42,225

[52] US. Cl. ...222/l95, 222/504, 251/61.1 [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 69/06 [58] Field of Search ..222/528, 529, 531, 504, 180,

,[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,687,145 8/1954 I Carter ..251/61.1 X 3,143,124 8/1964 Todd ..2Sl/5 1,873,138 8/1932 Mitchell 25l/6l.1 X 2,167,416 7/1939 Carlson ..222/195 Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Atlorney-Stefan M. Stein [57] ABSTRACT A sleeve valve structure for accurately dispensing particulate material which comprises a unique arrange ment of a plurality of concentric tubes. Each tube is lined with an elastomeric web and is so associated with the other tubes that when pressurized air is selectively introduced behind each web, the web is inflated, thereby blocking that tube. By successively blocking the tubes, the flow rate through the valve is very accurately regulated.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEPZB m2 3 693; 841

SHEET 1 UP 2 ii i i} F '2 I| I 5 l4 /IO FIG. I

FIG.3

INVENTOR. HENRY H. HANSEN ATTORNEY.

PATENTEDserzs r912 FIG.5

SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR. HENRY H. HANSEN ATTORNEY.

DISPENSER This invention relates generally to apparatus for con-' trolling material flow and, in particular, to a unique sleeve valve structure for accurately dispensing finely divided particulate and even liquid material.

The typical dispenser used for dispensing such material usually consists of a vertical bin having a discharge spout located near its lower end. Typical dispensers are shown in: US. Pat. No. 3,269,428, US. Pat. No. 3,195,586, US. Pat. No. 3,103,300. These devices utilize pinch'valves. In some applications, pinch valves have proven to be unsatisfactory, for instance,

where it is desirable to reduce, without stopping flow entirely. Pinch valves do not have such reduction capability. Nor do they have the ability to prevent particles already in the discharge spout from continuing to flow into the container being filled. Such extra additional flow after cut off is frequently highly objectionable.

In order to fluidize the contents of the bin, an air flow is introduced into the lower end. The particulate material therein then behaves as if it were a fluid and when the discharge spout is opened, the material flows out.

Unfortunately, the flow varies due to changes in head pressure. Such changes may be' caused by material which momentarily hangs-up in the bin during a portion of the valve open condition.

Also, especially during high speed filling, there is always a certain amount of in-transit unweighed material between the valve and the container. When accurate weight filling is needed, such in-transit material serio'usly affects accurate fill. This is compounded when the in-transit stream is long.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel valve structure for accurately dispensing particulate material.

' Another object is to provide a sleeve valve which opens and closes in response to pneumatic pressure.

Still another object is to provide a sleeve valve which allows for a variable flow adjustment.

A further object is to provide a sleeve valve which is designed to give a gas tight closure even at low pressure. I

A still further object is to provide a sleeve valve which affords closure even if particles are trapped within the valve.

Another object is to provide a sleeve valve which has two separate concentric sleeves.

Another object is to provide a sleeve valve which will prevent dripping of excess material after the valve is shut off.

Another object is to provide a sleeve valve of inexpensive construction.

, Another object is to provide a sleeve valve for a dispensing machine which is more efficient than that of the ordinary pinch valve.

Another object is to provide a gas-tight seal in a sleeve valve which will not crease or fold upon continued use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The above and other objects not specifically enumerated above are efficiently obtained by providing a dispenser for dispensing finely divided solid materials in the form of powders, grains,*granules, etc. with a sleeve valve structure which allows for a variable output rate in addition to means for preventing additional leakage after valve cut off.

The upper section of the sleeve valve structure comprises two or more concentric, rigid tubes each lined with an elastomeric web. An independent pneumatic source communicates with the space between the webs and each tube whereby each web may be selectively charged with fluid, such as air, thereby expanding and sealing that particular tube from further material flow. By manipulating the charges of fluid to each web, the flow rates may be varied. In addition, the lower section of the sleeve valve structure may be provided with a second tube axially aligned with the tubes of the upper section and lined with an elastomeric web and an axial abutment. This lower section acts to prevent any material caught between the tubes of the upper section and the container from leaking after upper section cut off but also shortens the descending stream of unweighed material. More importantly, the axial abutment or diffuser serves to break up and slow the descending stream whereby the descending stream pressure will not adversely affect, to any serious extent, the scale mechanism normally used under the container being filled. The large cross-sectional area of the lower section and its elastomeric web also acts to prevent any build-up of material to restrict the opening.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the dispenser in operation.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the base of the hopper and the open sleeve valve.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 showing the sleeve valve partially closed.

FIG. 4 is the same as FIG. 3 showing the sleeve valve fully closed.

FIG. 5 is a view through line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view through line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a view through line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 generally indicated by arrow 10 comprises hopper l2 and spout 14. The particulate material 16 to be dispensed is contained in hopper l2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the base of spout 14 has an annular flange 18 to which is fastened, by bolts 20, a second annular diffuser pad support flange 22. A dish shaped plenum plate 24 is centrally located within flange 22. Between spout 14 and plenum plate 24 is an annular diffuser pad 26. Diffuser pad 26 is designed to allow the passage of gas but not the particulate material. The aperture in the center of the pad receives sleeve valve structure 28, described more fully hereinafter.

The plenum plate 24 has an annular plenum 30 beneath diffuser pad 26 whereby pressurized air or other gaseous fluid entering through port 32 will evenly penetrate diffuser pad 26 upwardly. The pipe 34 leads from a regulated, compressed air source (not shown). Annular gaskets 35 about the periphery of pad 26 prevent leakage.

Plenum plate 24 has a centrally located aperture wall 36 with an inwardly directed flange 38. Secured to wall 36 is a radially extending flange 40 which supports the internal edge of diffuser pad 26.

Sleeve valve structure 28 comprises an outer sleeve valve tube 42. Two annular flanges 44 and 45 are secured to the interior wall 46 of tube 42. In the wall of tube 42 on each side of flange 44 are apertures 47 into which pipes 48a and 48b are attached. These pipes are connected to a source of pressurized fluid such as compressed air and adapted to be selectively activated. An outwardly extending flange 50 is secured to the outside of tube 42. As seen in FIG. 5, this flange has four peripheral notches 52 which receive bolts 54 which are each pivotally attached to plenum plate 24 by pivot pins 56. The other end of each bolt 54 has threads 58 and is adapted to receive wing. nut 60. Wing nuts 60 may be tightened or loosened depending upon the amount of support sleeve valve structure 28 requires and in accord with the direction desired for said valve structure.

. The lower portion of sleeve valve tube 42, between flanges '44 and 45, contains a concentric dribble tube 62. Its wall is apertured at 66 and registers with aperture 47 of tube 42 to receive compressed air pipe 48b. An elastomeric web 68, in tube form, with its ends sealed to tube 62 by being fitted thereon and held in sealing relationship by force fit between tubes 42 and 62, acts to close off tube 62 when expanded by the compressed air.

Referring now to FIG. 6, which is a top view of flange 44, ribs 70 extend to the top of and support a rigid axial abutment 72 concentric to tube 42. Abutment 72 may be hollow or tubular, as shown, and is encapsulated'by a soft, resilient material 74, such as rubber. The purpose of this axial abutment is to break up the descending stream of material so that surges of pressure on the weighing apparatus (not shown) beneath container 75 will be substantially avoided.

When fluid pressure is applied to web 68 of dribble tube 62 through pipe 48b, it expands against abutment 72 to a generally toroidal shape as shown in FIG. 4, thereby sealing dribble tube 62. The large cross sectional area of dribble tube 62 and flexible wall 74 also serve to prevent build-up of material which might restrict the bottom opening.

The upper portion of valve sleeve structure 28, has ribs 71 extending radially from flange 38 to a rigid, concentric tube 76. An elastomeric web 78 is attached at its ends to the outside of tube 76 by a suitable fastener and completely covers the inside of tube 76. A thid pipe 48c, whereby pressurized air may enter to expand and close off tube 76, is connected to tube 76.

In the preferred form, the hopper is also provided with an anti-bridging uniform hopper outlet pressure means comprising a cone 80 independently suspended by cable 82 or other suspension means within the hopper near its bottom outlet. Secured to the undersurface of cone 80 is a vibrator 84.

In operation, the hopper 12 is filled and vibrator 84 is energized when the valve is opened. Pressurized air is caused to flow through port 32 into plenum 30 and through diffuser pad 26 to fluidize the material within the hopper. The fluidized material thereby flows freely into sleeve valve structure 28. The material flows down, within tubes 76, 64 and 62.

When the container is almost filled, air is forced via pipe 48a into elastomeric web 68 of tube 64. The web expands and shuts off the flow between tubes 64 and 76. This is illustrated in FIG. 3. This throttling effect slows material flow to the container 75.

When it is desired to stop all flow, air is introduced behind web 78 via pipe 480 to inflate the web. In addition, air is introduced simultaneously or slightly subsequently via pipe 48b to expand web 68 of dribble pipe 62. Such use of dribble pipe 62 is optional and may or may not be used depending upon the need.

In addition, it is within the contemplation of this invention that more than one concentric tube be used. For instance, three or more concentric tubes, each with its own elastomeric web could be utilized. This would allow a plurality of discrete flow settings. In addition, it is further within the contemplation of this invention that an elastomeric web be utilized which is capable of an infinite number of flow settings, the flow being continuous and varying directly with the internal pressure within the elastomeric tube.

The elastomeric web contemplated for use in this invention may be a tube, flat webbing or other expandable configurations.

It is further within the contemplation of this invention that since the concentric tubes merely act as conduits, they may have a variety of cross sectional shapes, such as square, triangular, rectangular or elliptical.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described:

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A dispenser for particulate material comprising a hopper, a sleeve valve structure communicating with said hopper, said sleeve valve structure comprising an elongated outer sleeve valve conduit having a first conduit means at least partially concentrically disposed in the upper portion thereof, said first conduit means having a first elastomeric web fitted thereon and wedged between said sleeve valve conduit and said first conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said first conduit means and said first elastomeric web whereby said first elastomeric web will expand and decrease the opening of said first conduit means, a second conduit having a second elastomeric web attached in sealing relationship thereto, said second conduit being axially aligned and fixedly held within said first conduit means whereby said first elastomeric web will expand against said second conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said second conduit means and said second elastomeric web whereby upon inflation said second web will decrease the opening of said second conduit means and a third conduit means concentrically disposed within the lower portion of said sleeve valve conduit, said third conduit means having a third elastomeric web fitted thereon and wedged between said sleeve valve conduit and said third conduit means, said third conduit means being axially aligned and located below said first and second conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said third conduit means and said third elastomeric web whereby upon inflation said third elastomeric web will decrease the opening of said third conduit means, such that the flow rate of material from said hopper is selectively varied with the expansion and contraction of said first, second and third elastomeric webs.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the inlet of said first conduit means is defined by a first annular flange disposed immediately above and adjacent the upper portion of said first conduit means and the outlet of said first conduit means is defined by a second annular flange disposed immediately below and adjacent the lower portion of said first conduit means; and wherein the inlet of said third conduit means is defined by said second annular flange disposed immediately above and adjacent the upper portion of said third conduit means and the outlet of said third conduit means is defined by a third annular flange disposed immediately below and adjacent the lower portion of said third conduit means.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 further including a first plurality of horizontally disposed ribs extending inwardly from said first annular flange and terminating on the upper portion of said second conduit means to break-up the flow of particulate material and a second plurality of horizontally disposed ribs extending inwardly from said annular flange and terminating on the thereof such that particulate flowing downward through said first and second conduit means is broken up and distributed evenly over the cross-section of said third conduit means and whereby upon inflation of said third elastomeric web, said web will restrict against said elongated abutment thereby closing third conduit means.

4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein said abutment is encapsulated with a soft resilient material.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said conduit means are tubes.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hopper has a porous bottom adapted to receive and transmit fluid under pressure whereby said material near the bottom of said hopper will be fluidized and will more easily flow through said sleeve valve structure.

7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said sleeve valve structure has a slotted radially extending flange on its lower end with a plurality of peripheral notches, said notches adapted to receive support bolts which are attached to the bottom of said hopper whereby said sleeve valve structure is detachably held upon said hopper.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hopper is provided with an anti-bridging uniform hopper outlet pressure means comprising an mdepen ently supported cone located near the outlet of said hopper with vibrating means for said cone.

9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein means are provided to selectively expand each of said elastomeric webs independent of the remaining said elastomeric webs whereby said flow rate is selectively varied over a wide range. 

1. A dispenser for particulate material comprising a hopper, a sleeve valve structure communicating with said hopper, said sleeve valve structure comprising an elongated outer sleeve valve conduit having a first conduit means at least partially concentrically disposed in the upper portion thereof, said first conduit means having a first elastomeric web fitted thereon and wedged between said sleeve valve conduit and said first conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said first conduit means and said first elastomeric web whereby said first elastomeric web will expand and decrease the opening of said first conduit means, a second conduit having a second elastomeric web attached in sealing relationship thereto, said second conduit being axially aligned and fixedly held within said first conduit means whereby said first elastomeric web will expand against said second conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said second conduit means and said second elastomeric web whereby upon inflation said second web will decrease the opening of said second conduit means and a third conduit means concentrically disposed within the lower portion of said sleeve valve conduit, said third conduit means having a third elastomeric web fitted thereon and wedged between said sleeve valve conduit and said third conduit means, said third conduit means being axially aligned and located below said first and second conduit means, means to introduce pressurized fluid between said third conduit means and said third elastomeric web whereby upon inflation said third elastomeric web will decrease the opening of said third conduit means, such that the flow rate of material from said hopper is selectively varied with the expansion and contraction of said first, second and third elastomeric webs.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the inlet of said first conduit means is defined by a first annular flange disposed immediately above and adjacent the upper portion of said first conduit means and the outlet of said first conduit means is defined by a second annular flange disposed immediately below and adjacent the lower portion of said first conduit means; and wherein the inlet of said third conduit means is defined by said second annular flange disposed immediately above and adjacent the upper portion of said third conduit means and the outlet of said third conduit means is defined by a third annular flange disposed immediately below and adjacent the lower portion of said third conduit means.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2 further including a first plurality of horizontally disposed ribs extending inwardly From said first annular flange and terminating on the upper portion of said second conduit means to break-up the flow of particulate material and a second plurality of horizontally disposed ribs extending inwardly from said annular flange and terminating on the upper portion of a rigid axially aligned elongated abutment which is concentrically disposed within said third conduit means and extends substantially the length thereof such that particulate flowing downward through said first and second conduit means is broken up and distributed evenly over the cross-section of said third conduit means and whereby upon inflation of said third elastomeric web, said web will restrict against said elongated abutment thereby closing third conduit means.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3 wherein said abutment is encapsulated with a soft resilient material.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said conduit means are tubes.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hopper has a porous bottom adapted to receive and transmit fluid under pressure whereby said material near the bottom of said hopper will be fluidized and will more easily flow through said sleeve valve structure.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said sleeve valve structure has a slotted radially extending flange on its lower end with a plurality of peripheral notches, said notches adapted to receive support bolts which are attached to the bottom of said hopper whereby said sleeve valve structure is detachably held upon said hopper.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said hopper is provided with an anti-bridging uniform hopper outlet pressure means comprising an independently supported cone located near the outlet of said hopper with vibrating means for said cone.
 9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein means are provided to selectively expand each of said elastomeric webs independent of the remaining said elastomeric webs whereby said flow rate is selectively varied over a wide range. 